Review - The Exquisite Corpse Adventure (DNF)

The Exquisite Corpse Adventure
by Jon Scieszka, Katherine Paterson, Kate DiCamillo, Susan Cooper, Gregory Maguire, Patricia C. McKissack, Fredrick L. McKissack, Shannon Hale, Natalie Babbitt, Megan McDonald, Steven Kellogg, Lemony Snicket, M. T. Anderson, Linda Sue Park & Jack Gantos
illustrated by Chris Van Dusen, James Ransome, Calef Brown, Timothy Basil Ering & Steven Kellogg
Date: 2010
Publisher: Read.gov
Reading level: MG
Book type: illustrated prose novel
Pages: 278
Format: e-book
Source: The Exquisite Corpse Adventure

Ever heard of an Exquisite Corpse? It's not what you might think. An Exquisite Corpse is an old game in which people write a phrase on a sheet of paper, fold it over to conceal part of it and pass it on to the next player to do the same. The game ends when someone finishes the story, which is then read aloud.

Our "Exquisite Corpse Adventure" works this way: Jon Scieszka, the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, has written the first episode, which is "pieced together out of so many parts that it is not possible to describe them all here, so go ahead and just start reading!" He has passed it on to a cast of celebrated writers and illustrators, who must eventually bring the story to an end.

Every two weeks, there will be a new episode and a new illustration. The story will conclude a year from now. To get bi-weekly updates with new Exquisite Corpse Adventure chapters, click on the subscribe link at the top of the page. "This story starts with a train rushing through the night...." No one knows where or how it will end!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

DNF @ 51%

I started this one back in April, and read it into May. It's everything you'd expect a book written by committee to be: disjointed, silly, and forced. Some of the installments are better than others, and I chalk that up to the writing ability of the various authors. There are some powerhouses here. Unfortunately, the format is really limiting. If the previous author writes you into a corner, you have no choice but to try to get out of it. This leads to some situations that feel really unnatural, and things just don't flow.

The idea is neat, but this is just way too long. I got just over halfway, and then the authors started to repeat... but the story was just spinning its wheels. I wish the premise had been beefed up in the beginning so the subsequent authors didn't have to try to salvage what little ridiculous plot they could when it came time for their turn.

I was making notes on the individual chapters as I went, but... now that I've DNFed, they're pretty irrelevant. If you want to check this one out, you can (it's free to read online, after all), but don't go in with high expectations. This reads more like a middle-school group assignment for a creative writing class than anything else.

Review - Striped Pajamas (DNF)

Striped Pajamas
by Fırat Yaşa
Date: 2019
Publisher: Europe Comics
Reading level: A
Book type: graphic novel
Pages: 98
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

After being fished out from the cold currents of the Bosporus, an enigmatic young man barely hangs onto both life and reality. Having lost all memory of who he is, he comes to be identified by his outfit: Striped Pajamas. As he embarks on an insightful quest to discover himself, his consciousness gets entangled in a love story that sways between fantasy and reality—a story that steadily approaches the truth.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

DNF @ 27%

I started reading this back in September and then stopped. It was just so weird. The main character looks like a Muppet, and there are weird animal-human hybrids running around. When I came back to it a few days ago, I was totally lost. The story hadn't grabbed me, and I had no idea what was going on.

Based on the title, my guess is that all this weirdness is some sort of nocturnal dream. But I'm not interested enough to keep reading and find out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Europe Comics for providing a digital ARC.

Review - The Twelve Days of Winter

The Twelve Days of Winter
by Deborah Lee Rose
illustrated by Carey F. Armstrong-Ellis
Date: 2006
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

A counting book that highlights the wonders of winter

It’s wintertime! The time for snow, mittens, and 12 days of surprises. In this high-energy, curious classroom, the teacher introduces her students to a new winter activity every day—from making paper snowflakes, to building sugar cube igloos, to playing with jingling bells. As the days get colder and the gifts add up, the classroom is transformed into wintery chaos. Inspired by the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” this book uses accumulative verse as readers count to 12 along with the class and explore the funny, intricate illustrations. It includes a punch-out snowman paper doll that young readers can dress up and use to decorate their own winter wonderland!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I've yet to see this song turned into a picture book really well. This version is no exception. It tries... but it doesn't quite get there.

The illustrations are sort of fun to look at, because there are details that continue throughout the book. But I don't particularly like the style. Some of the children look like little seniors, and I was taken aback near the beginning when I saw what looked like an old man picking his nose:

This creepy little fellow (he's one of the young students, if you can believe it) actually appears on every single spread, with his finger in his nose. Kids might find it funny, and I was mildly amused when I realized that he was a repeating motif... but it does get old pretty fast.

Most of the objects in the song are of a winter theme, but they're not that interesting. Teddy bears, weather words, gold stars, bells, worms, and sugar cubes all make an appearance, but without the illustrations, they're really quite boring. This is definitely a book that needs to be read in close proximity to a child so they can clearly see all the pictures.

Overall, I wasn't that impressed. Kids might like the nose-picker, but other than that, The Twelve Days of Winter doesn't really bring anything new to the old song.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: 3/5
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 2/5
Originality: 2/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.43 out of 5

Review - I Love You All Year Through

I Love You All Year Through
by Stephanie Stansbie
illustrated by Suzie Mason
Date: 2019
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

A celebration of the love for a child through every season, with delightful artwork by the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of Hoda Kotb's I've Loved You Since Forever.

Poetic verse perfectly expresses the unconditional love shared between grown-ups and their precious little ones. Togetherness is always special, whether you are enjoying springtime showers, lazy summer days, or the cozy chill of autumn and winter. The touching message will resonate with parents, grandparents, and anyone who has a little one in their life. A must-have for new parents...and every family's storytime bookshelf!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a cute little rhyming picture book that explores the seasons and landscapes of a year, highlighted by Suzie Mason's adorable animal illustrations.

I've encountered this illustrator's work before in I've Loved You Since Forever and You Are My Happy, both by Hoda Kotb. I Love You All Year Through may be by a different author, but it's very similar. Spare, rhyming text is set off beautifully by Mason's depictions of cute and cuddly critters sharing the seasons with their offspring.

If you liked Kotb's books, you'll probably want to give this one a try as well... especially if you were enamoured with the illustrations.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.86 out of 5

Review - A Day So Gray

A Day So Gray
by Marie Lamba
illustrated by Alea Marley
Date: 2019
Publisher: Clarion Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Once you start to notice, colors and reasons for gratitude are everywhere, and that changes everything! Celebrate the hues and comforts of a cozy winter day as a discontented girl at first notices only dull grays and browns in a snowy landscape but is coaxed by her friend to look more closely. Soon she finds orange berries, blue water, purple shadows, and more. Warm friendship and a fresh way of seeing things transform a snow-covered landscape from bleak to beautiful!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

While the overall premise of this book is nice, it wasn't enough to make me really love the final product.

Two little girls go out into the winter landscape. One of them is a Negative Nellie, constantly complaining about the bleakness of their surroundings. Her friend tries, each time, to turn the observation around. The snow isn't boring and white... it's full of streaks of grey and purple and footprints of green. Eventually, the girls make it to their destination, where the skeptical girl has a sudden, inexplicable change of heart. Both of them then enjoy the various colours around them.

It's the negativity of that one character that really turned me off. I'm glad she came around in the end, but there doesn't seem to be any reason for it. It was a little tiresome to read her unimaginative, complaining text throughout the beginning of the book.

The illustrations are nice, and show the perspectives of both girls (which I thought was kind of clever). The pictures are pleasant enough to look at. I just wish the text that went along with them had been stronger.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.67 out of 5

Review - Mooncakes

Mooncakes
by Suzanne Walker
illustrated by Wendy Xu
Date: 2019
Publisher: Lion Forge
Reading level: YA
Book type: graphic novel
Pages: 259
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Suzanne Walker's and Wendy Xu's graphic novel based on their webcomic Mooncakes, which follows long-lost childhood crushes Nova Huang and Tam Lang as they struggle through bills, family, and the supernatural in ways that only a witch and a werewolf can.

A story of love and demons, family and witchcraft.

Nova Huang knows more about magic than your average teen witch. She works at her grandmothers' bookshop, where she helps them loan out spell books and investigate any supernatural occurrences in their New England town.

One fateful night, she follows reports of a white wolf into the woods, and she comes across the unexpected: her childhood crush, Tam Lang, battling a horse demon in the woods. As a werewolf, Tam has been wandering from place to place for years, unable to call any town home.

Pursued by dark forces eager to claim the magic of wolves and out of options, Tam turns to Nova for help. Their latent feelings are rekindled against the backdrop of witchcraft, untested magic, occult rituals, and family ties both new and old in this enchanting tale of self-discovery.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I was seeing lots of buzz for this graphic novel a few months ago. I started it, but kind of lost interest. I wanted to finish by the end of the year, so I plowed ahead and got through it. While it's not the worst graphic novel I've ever read, it's definitely not one of my favourites.

I didn't actually realize that this is based on a webcomic until I read the synopsis (after I'd already read most of the book). I think that was part of my problem: I'd never seen the webcomic, and so parts of the story felt forced, contrived, or very sudden. I'd seen readers squealing over the relationship between Nova and Tam, but when I finally read the book, I didn't see what they were seeing. Coming to the book without any sort of knowledge of their previous relationship, I thought it all seemed very insta-lovey to me. Tam shows back up in town after a prolonged absence, and within a few hours they and Nova are making out.

And let's talk about that for a moment. It was too much. At one point, when the villain tells Nova to run back to her little friend, Nova says: "I will! And I'm going to make out with them while I'm at it!" Now, I know teenagers can be wrapped up in their hormones, but when you're trying to save your friend from demonic possession, why are you thinking about making out?

Much seems to have been made about the fact that Tam is a non-binary character. I don't really care about that (well, except for the fact that every time I read "them" my brain immediately tried to figure out what group of people was being talked about; English really needs some standard, singular, gender-neutral pronouns). What I do care about is whether the character is a good character. I'm not going to give extra points just because the book is trying to be diverse. Tam has a potentially interesting backstory, but with the way this book starts, we're kind of dropped in way too late... which makes the reader reliant on flashbacks and overt telling to figure out what Tam's life was like before their reconnection with Nova. The rest of the characters are okay, too, with an interesting family dynamic: grandmothers, ghost parents, a cousin with a strange magical affliction... But, like I said, we're dropped into this story too late for it to make much sense to someone who hasn't read the webcomic.

I guess I might recommend this to fans of the webcomic, but I can't really recommend it to readers who aren't already familiar with Nova and Tam. The story isn't strong enough to stand on its own (which is unfortunate, given all the potential that's there) and the climax comes across as a little hackneyed and cliched.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lion Forge for providing a digital ARC.

Plot: 2/5
Characters: 2/5
Pace: 2/5
Writing & Editing: 2/5
Illustration: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall Rating: 2.25 out of 5 ladybugs

Review - Where Does a Pirate Go Potty?

Where Does a Pirate Go Potty?
by Dawn Babb Prochovnic
illustrated by Jacob Souva
Date: 2019
Publisher: West Margin Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

“Ahoy thar, matey! Where does a pirate go potty around here?”

This little pirate’s got to go potty! He wanders around sandy beaches and dark caves, discovering where the sea lion, the pelican, and even the octopus go potty. But where in the seven seas can a pirate go?! A hilarious adventure filled with playful anticipation and fun, Where Does a Pirate Go Potty? guarantees a good time and laughter.

This book is a companion to Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This follows the exact same format as Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty? and teaches the exact same lesson: using a toilet is so important that it's okay to break into someone's abode and use theirs without permission. The turns of phrase are even more tacky ("bury your treasure", "leave yer loot", "blastin' my britches") and the depiction of the toilet on the pirate ship is pretty ridiculous (I can forgive a ranch house having a proper flush toilet... but an old-fashioned sailing ship?).

Well, now I know what these books are all about. They sound more amusing than they actually are. Toddlers might like them... but the parents who have to read them could find them tiresome.

Premise: 2/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 2.17 out of 5

Review - Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty?

Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty?
by Dawn Babb Prochovnic
illustrated by Jacob Souva
Date: 2019
Publisher: West Margin Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

“Howdy, pardner! Where does a cowgirl go potty around here?”

When a cowgirl’s got to go, she’s got to go! As she walks through open pastures and deep canyons, she learns where the bison, hawk, coyote, and other animals go. But time’s a-wasting, so where in the whole West can this cowgirl go potty?! With great humor and playfulness, Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty? will be sure to delight kids over and over again.

This book is a companion to Where Does a Pirate Go Potty?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Well, that was stupid. And gross. And a little bit sexist.

A poor cowgirl really has to go. But in every spot she tries, some animal comes along and tells her that it's their place to "go potty" (ugh... I hate that phrase). Eventually, after getting pooped on by a hawk and chased out of every possible makeshift bathroom, she breaks into a rancher's house to use his toilet.

What does this teach kids (especially girls)? The only place you're allowed to go is in the toilet? I guess that's fine if you're trying to toilet train, but it's also impractical and inaccurate. If you're out in the wilderness with nary a toilet (or even outhouse) in sight, you're not expected to hold it. Little boys would probably even be encouraged to just go in the woods.

This is so puerile and tacky. The illustrations are okay; the collage-like appearance they have is pleasant to look at. But I really don't like the story, or the writing itself (we're treated to phrases like "leave yer load" and "blast my bloomers"; they may help establish the setting, but they're kind of gross).

This would probably only be suitable for kids in the midst of being toilet trained... and even then, only if their parents can stomach the oft-repeated phrase, "go potty".

Premise: 2/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 2.17 out of 5

Review - Rock Mammoth

Rock Mammoth
by Eveline Payette
illustrated by Guillaume Perreault
Date: 2020
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 48
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Louis has to do an oral presentation on his pet. To everyone's great surprise, he decides to present his mammoth. Even more surprising, he talks to the class about a new species of hairy Elephantidae only recently discovered: the Rock Mammoth. This proud ancestor of the hairy musicians of the '70s didn't actually disappear. In fact, these elephants had had enough of being rock stars and wished for a more tranquil life. So they decided to remain hidden during the last millennia. But now Louis, the great mammoth enthusiast and rigorous scientific apprentice, has discovered this well-kept secret and is ready to reveal it to the world.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I've usually had pretty good luck with books from this publisher, so this is a rare miss. Rock Mammoth blurs the line between fantasy and reality so much that even I was fooled. The problem is that parts of it sound factual and scientific, so the reader might assume that much of it is. Of course, a tiny mammoth hiding at the arena is fiction. But I spent much of the book thinking that Voïvoden Mamouten, a supposed Icelandic researcher that mammoths were named after, was a real person. (He's not.)

The book is also way too long. The other kids in Louis's class might have been hanging on his every word, but I quickly grew tired of the nonsense that kept coming out of his mouth. He's supposed to be doing an oral report on a pet, but he continually digresses (and the teacher doesn't really try to redirect him nearly enough). The result is a tedious story that's useless as far as teaching anything (because it's too difficult to figure out what's real without breaking out Google).

This was a disappointment, and kind of a waste of time. Definitely not recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 1/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 2/5
Illustrations: 2/5
Originality: 2/5

Enjoyment: 0/5

Overall: 1.17 out of 5

Review - The Poem That Will Not End

The Poem That Will Not End
by Joan Bransfield Graham
illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker
Date: 2014
Publisher: Two Lions
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: Amazon.ca

Ryan O'Brian is riding a wave of inspiration with no shoreline in sigh--he can't STOP writing poetry. In the cafeteria with french fries. In the bathroom with toothpaste. Even on the soccer field with mud!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I think I would've really enjoyed this one when I was a kid. It's kind of a fiction/non-fiction hybrid. It's the story of Ryan O'Brian and his inability to stop composing poetry. It continues all day, and the reader is introduced to a variety of poetic forms. The story comes to a conclusion when Ryan's teacher gives the class a poetry-writing assignment... and Ryan finds that he's finally drawing a blank!

Each page or spread has part of the story (which is also in rhyme) as well as a poem. I recognized that there were a number of different forms being presented, and I hoped that there would be some explanation. There is, and in the informative back matter, we learn all about a bunch of technical poetry terms (they were linked back to the appropriate pages in my Kindle copy). I learned quite a bit about poetry and voice in this section.

The illustrations are interesting, although I don't know if I would say I loved them. I think they work well with the subject matter, though.

Overall, this is a really nice picture book. I'd recommend it to readers who like poetry and those who just like words and all the wonderful things we can do with them.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.83 out of 5

Review - Kiki & Jax

Kiki & Jax: The Life-Changing Magic of Friendship
by Marie Kondo & Salina Yoon
illustrated by Salina Yoon
Date: 2019
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

International tidying superstar and New York Times bestselling author Marie Kondo brings her unique method to young readers in this charming story about how tidying up creates space for joy in all parts of your life, co-written and illustrated by beloved children’s book veteran Salina Yoon.

The KonMari Method inspires a charming friendship story that is sure to spark joy!

Kiki and Jax are best friends, but they couldn’t be more different. The one thing they always agree on is how much fun they have together. But when things start to get in the way, can they make space for what has always sparked joy—each other?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I was a bit skeptical about this one, but it's actually really cute! It's like the kids' version of the KonMari method, wrapped up in a little story about friendship.

Kiki the squirrel and Jax the owl are best friends. Kiki's a bit of a hoarder, though, and eventually her tendency to hang on to everything starts to affect her friendship with Jax. He comes over to play ball... but she can't find it. He comes over to ask her if she wants to go swimming... but she can't find her suit in the mess. Jax is annoyed that things are getting in the way of their friendship, so he makes Kiki a gift to remind her of what's important. When Kiki receives the gift, she's thrilled, and goes to Jax's house to thank him. Then they play. When Kiki wishes they could play at her house, Jax offers to help, and they tidy up the squirrel's abode using the KonMari Method.

It's a great introduction to Marie Kondo's techniques for kids. It even gives enough description that adults could probably get something out of it (if they haven't already read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up). There are also illustrated instructions at the back on how to fold a shirt so you can stand it upright in your drawer.

Fans of the KonMari Method will probably want to have this for their kids. But it could probably be a valuable little book for any messy kid who needs a few pointers on how to keep the clutter to a minimum.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.83 out of 5

Review - Little Cloud

Little Cloud: The Science of a Hurricane
by Johanna Wagstaffe
illustrated by Julie McLaughlin
Date: 2020
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Follow our little cloud on an adventure through the sky and learn the science behind how it transforms from a simple cumulus cloud to a full-blown hurricane. Beautifully detailed illustrations from award-winning artist Julie McLaughlin integrate science with storytelling. Children will enjoy finding new gems of information even after several reads, thanks to a whimsical and rich layout. And meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe weaves a comprehensive narrative about a powerful weather system that's so compelling readers won't even realize they are on their way to becoming budding meteorologists.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a really cute little book about the science of hurricanes. It's not too heavy on the text, which is nice, and the text that's there is highlighted by playful illustrations.

If I have one complaint, it's that the hurricane's name is referred to before he's actually given a name. That could be confusing to some readers.

Other than that, though, this is a really strong non-fiction title. Hopefully kids will read it and maybe correct their parents' ignorance: "No, Dad, that's not a chemtrail. That's just a cirrus cloud."

Thank you to NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.83 out of 5

Review - All by Myself!

All By Myself!
by Géraldine Collet
illustrated by Coralie Saudo
Date: 2010
Publisher: Owlkids Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

When five hens leave the coop to go pecking for grain, five little chicks are left all by themselves for the day. At first the chicks — Ivan, Lily, Leonard, Shirley, and narrator Anthony — cry. Then, they get scared: what if their moms never come home? What if a fox finds them? The chicks must work together to brave the day without their mothers.

When the hens return to the coop with delicious grain at lunchtime, all but one of the chicks — Anthony — fall upon the food ravenously. Bolstered by his triumphant day at home alone, Anthony pauses to declare that he is ready to eat all by himself for the first time.

A beloved book in its original French, All By Myself! is a plucky tale about cooperation and independence. Told in part through mixed media illustrations and energetic text, this picture book will inspire and entertain young readers as they approach their own hallmarks of growing up.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Something was definitely lost in translation. I thought, at first, that this was going to be a book about independence. But it's so scattered in its message that I'm not really sure what it's about.

The mother hens go out to get grain, and their five chicks stay behind and fret. They worry that their mothers won't come back. They worry about foxes. They talk about what they'd do if a fox came to the henhouse. Then the hens return with grain and the chicks all eat. Anthony's mother asks if he wants some help eating, and he refuses, saying he wants to do it all by himself.

The pictures are sort of cute, but I'm struggling with the story. It just doesn't seem very focused. It's also a bit confusing in the beginning, as it's told in the first person by Anthony. But he seems to be privy to the other chicks' private thoughts; he knows what they're thinking and worrying about. (I wonder if this is something that happened during translation. Whatever the case, it doesn't quite work in English.)

I'm afraid this was a miss for me. The story doesn't seem to know what it wants to be about... so I'm not sure how to interpret it.

Premise: 2/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 2.17 out of 5

Review - Christmas Tale

Christmas Tale
by Mark Lawrence
Date: unknown
Publisher: Mark Lawrence
Reading level: A
Book type: short story
Pages: 3
Format: e-book
Source: author's website

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is just a short little snippet from the author's website. It's not even a story. It's just the beginning of a scene. It could've been really funny, had it been followed through with... but as it is, it's just a bit of nothing. A couple of Satan's minions recruit a couple of demons to make Christmas especially aggravating. That's the premise. Unfortunately, it's also the whole story. Just when we find out what the plot's going to be, the story ends.

I guess you could view this as an exercise in minimalism. Or you could interpret it as self-contained. But I think I probably would've gotten more out of reading a few Goodreads synopses! Really. This is a good start, but I was hoping for a lot more.

Plot: 2/5
Characters: 2/5
Pace: 3/5
Writing & Editing: 2/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall Rating: 2.29 out of 5 ladybugs

Review - Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas

Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas (Fancy Nancy)
by Jane O'Connor
illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser
Date: 2009
Publisher: HarperCollins
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: Amazon.ca

What could be fancier than Christmas?

Presents with elegant wrapping paper, festive decorations, Christmas cookies with sprinkles—and who could forget the tree? After all, there is no such thing as too much tinsel. Ooh la la! This year, Nancy is especially excited about decorating the Christmas tree. She bought a brand-new sparkly tree topper with her own money and has been waiting for Christmas to come. But when things don't turn out the way Nancy planned, will Christmas still be splendiferous?

In this merriest of stories from bestselling duo Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser, Nancy proves once again that a little fancying up can go a long, festive way!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This was one of the last Fancy Nancy books I'd yet to get my hands on, so when the e-book came up in Amazon's bargain section, I snapped up a copy. As one of the original storybooks with illustrations by Robin Preiss Glasser, its charming and detailed pictures perfectly capture the holiday season in the Clancy household.

As is the case in the best of these stories, Nancy finds herself in a bit of an unpleasant situation--due to her own actions. I like the way the story was both reassuring and instructive, showing the adults helping Nancy deal with her feelings and using her skills to come up with a solution. (Yeah, that sounds vague. I don't want to spoil too much of the story.)

There's plenty of fanciness here in the illustrations. I loved looking at Nancy's outfits throughout the book. She's exquisitely fancy here, and at the top of her game.

This is a sweet family story for the holidays. I'd recommend it to fans of Fancy Nancy, of course... but also to those who are simply looking for sweet Christmas picture books. You don't need to be familiar with Nancy to enjoy this one.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Review - Birdsong

Birdsong
by Julie Flett
Date: 2019
Publisher: Greystone Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 48
Format: e-book
Source: library

A tender, luminous portrait of art, nature, and connecting across generations.

When a young girl moves from the country to a small town, she feels lonely and out of place. But soon she meets an elderly woman next door, who shares her love of arts and crafts. Can the girl navigate the changing seasons and failing health of her new friend? Acclaimed author and artist Julie Flett’s textured images of birds, flowers, art, and landscapes bring vibrancy and warmth to this powerful story, which highlights the fulfillment of intergenerational relationships and shared passions.

A brief glossary and pronunciation guide to Cree-Métis words that appear in the text is provided on the copyright page.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a lovely little picture book that spans the seasons and shows an intergenerational friendship between a little girl and her elderly neighbour.

I'm already a fan of Flett's artwork, having encountered it in My Heart Fills With Happiness, Little You, and We Sang You Home, all of which were written by others. As illustrator and author, Flett takes us on a little journey through the year, showing Katherena and Agnes's friendship develop through the simplest things. Agnes eventually gets ill and weak, but this is handled in a kid-friendly way that leaves the ending open to interpretation.

The illustrations here are lovely, and nicely portray the seasons. If you're already a fan of Flett's style, you'll find plenty to like here.

Overall, this is a lovely look at an intergenerational friendship. I'd recommend it to fans of Flett's work, as well as to those who are searching for books about friendships between children and seniors.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Review - Little Mole's Wish

Little Mole's Wish
by Sang-Keun Kim
Date: 2019
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

With echoes of Raymond Briggs's classic The Snowman, here is a magical, timeless story about the friendship between a lonely little mole and a snowball he molds into a bear that comes to life.

Little Mole is new in town, and he's lonely. On his way home from school on a winter day, he rolls a snowball all the way to the bus stop. He tells it his problems and grows very attached. But when Little Mole tries to take the snowball home with him on the bus, the driver refuses and leaves without them. So Little Mole comes up with a plan: mold the snowball into a bear. Surely that will do the trick? After much effort, he finally convinces a bus driver to pick them up. The bus is warm and cozy, and Little Mole falls asleep. But we all know what happens to snowballs when they get warm. . . . Luckily, Grandma is waiting at home, and she finds a way to return her grandson's new friend to him. With a classic, timeless feel and stunning illustrations, this heartwarming story of friendship and love is full of mood, atmosphere, and poignancy.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a cute little story about a lonely mole and his "friend". On his way home from school, Little Mole confides in a snowball that he's new in town and doesn't yet have any friends. The snowball listens. Encouraged, Little Mole builds up the snowball and rolls it to the bus stop. But the bus driver won't let him bring a snowball on board, and he drives away. Little Mole has the brilliant idea to turn the snowball into a bear, but the next bus driver who comes along sees right through the illusion and refuses to let them get on. It isn't until Little Mole dresses the snow bear in his hat that the third bus driver finally lets them on. Unfortunately, the bus is toasty and warm, and when Little Mole wakes up at his stop, his "friend" is gone. He goes home and tells his grandmother all about his day... and wakes up in the morning to a sweet surprise.

The story is simple, but effective. The illustrations are what really shine here, though. From the gentle colour palette to the various animal bus drivers, everything speaks to the feeling of a soft, snowy day. I couldn't help but feel sorry for Little Mole (what kind of bus driver leaves a child by himself in the snow and drives off?!) but everything turned out all right in the end.

If you're looking for a winter picture book that doesn't have a holiday theme, this is a charming one to try.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.83 out of 5

Review - The Elephants' Guide to Hide-and-Seek

The Elephants' Guide to Hide-and-Seek
by Kjersten Hayes
illustrated by Gladys Jose
Date: 2020
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Elephants are great at many things...playing hide-and-seek is not one of them.

But The Elephant Hobby and Sport League is here to help all those frustrated, always "found" elephants out there with The Elephants' Guide to Hide-and-Seek. This handy guide offers sympathy, support and superior hiding solutions to elephants who long to overcome their size disadvantage when playing hide-and-seek.

A hilarious tongue-in-cheek book perfect for elephants and their best human pals.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a cute book aimed at elephants (because... why not?) that helps them overcome their disadvantages at playing hide-and-seek.

It reminded me a little of David Barrow's Have You Seen Elephant?, which also features a game of hide-and-seek between a pachyderm and a child. In this case, though, the story is framed as more of a non-fiction guidebook for elephants. It's written in the second person point of view. The pictures are cute, and the book highlights all the ways that elephants might be able to make a game of hide-and-seek work for them.

If you're a big fan of elephants, you'll probably want to check out this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Jabberwocky for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.17 out of 5

Review - Snow Globe Wishes

Snow Globe Wishes
by Erin Dealey
illustrated by Claire Shorrock
Date: 2019
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

As the worst snow storm of the year rolls in, one family hunkers down together in a cozy blanket fort for the night. A little girl makes a wish on a snow globe and, in the morning, the sun rises on a winter wonderland--beckoning all outside. And what if, on this snow-filled day, families shake their busy lives and everyone goes out to play? A lyrical holiday story about wishes and community and snow--lots and lots of snow.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Snow Globe Wishes is okay, but it didn't really capture my imagination.

I think part of the problem I had is that the colour palette used in the illustrations leaves the whole book looking muted. Where's the magic? Where's the sparkle? I'm seeing those words in the text, but I'm not seeing them in the pictures.

Basically, there's a big storm and the power goes out. One family hunkers down and eats Chinese takeout and builds a blanket fort. The little girl makes a wish on her snow globe. In the morning, everything's covered in snow (I guess this is her wish come true, but it was kind of a given!) and the kids go outside to play. The adults join them, and soon the whole neighbourhood is holding hands like a bunch of Who-ville Whos while the book talks about peace on earth.

The rhyming text is just okay. I'm struggling to find something to grab on to here, though; there's nothing that really engaged me as a reader, or made me want to continue turning the pages.

Overall, this is a bit lacklustre. Aside from the premise of the blizzard and the family having a fun slumber party because of it, there's really not much here that I haven't seen many times before.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: 3/5
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 2/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.57 out of 5

Review - Santa's Secret

Santa's Secret
by Denise Brennan-Nelson
illustrated by Deborah Melmon
Date: 2019
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Everyone knows that when Christmas rolls around Santa employs a legion of helpers to ensure the season goes off without a hitch. But between the Santas on parade, the Santas at the malls, and the ones ringing bells in front of busy department stores...one intrepid investigator wants to know exactly WHO the real Santa is. Armed with a notebook, pencil, and a barrage of questions, can this young detective get to the bottom of Santa's secret?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Setting aside the weird e-book conversion (words starting with "fl" were messed up, resulting in words like "flfloat" and "flfly"), this is actually a pretty fun story concerning a question that a lot of kids might have at this time of year: With all the different Santas out there, how do you know which is the real one?

Told in rhyme, the story documents a little girl's search for the truth. She comes up with all sorts of questions to ask Santa when she sees him, hoping to tease out the truth. But that particular Santa doesn't seem to have the answers she's looking for, so she leaves her list with him and goes on her way. After her visit, she visits a coffee shop with her family, only to see a suspiciously jolly customer sitting in the corner... who seems to have all the answers she's been seeking. Is he the real thing? Is it really important to know... or is it more fun to let Santa have his secrets?

The illustrations are cute and colourful, and really capture the pre-Christmas chaos. I like how the answer the girl's been seeking is hinted at but not explicitly stated, leaving readers to make up their own minds. As kids get older and start to see a variety of Santas, they might start asking similar questions about his identity. This story shows that it's not really important; after all, Santa's helpers do an important job, too. It's the idea of Santa and what he does that's key... and that message is what makes this book a sweet Christmas read.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 3/5
Meter: 3/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.71 out of 5

Review - Merry Christmas, Peanut!

Merry Christmas, Peanut!
by Terry Border
Date: 2017
Publisher: Philomel Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

A sweet (or is it salty?) Christmas story with heart, humor, and plenty of punny holiday cheer.

Peanut is going over the river and through the woods to his grandmother's house for Christmas, but getting there is a food-filled adventure for this little nut! First he gets stuck in a traffic jam (make that a traffic jelly), then the bridge is closed so he has to take a (gravy) boat across the river, where he gets lost in a forest of (cookies shaped like) Christmas trees! But while the delays dismay his friends and family, Peanut embraces his role as the Merry Christmas Nut to cheer them up.

In this heart-warming and humorous Christmas tale based on the real-life adventures of one peanut -- including ice-skating on popsicles and making snow angels in powdered-sugar snow -- our food friends know that the true meaning of Christmas is joining with our loved ones to celebrate the joy of being together.

From the creator of Peanut Butter & Cupcake, tihs book is perfect for every family who wants to giggle together this holiday season.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a funny, punny story about a legume and his parents who are trying to get to his grandma's house for Christmas dinner. But they keep running into one obstacle after another, and picking up new friends along the way as Peanut utters his refrain: "Don't be sad! I'll cheer you up! I'm the Merry Christmas Nut!"

The story is written fairly well, but it's the illustrations here that really won me over. They're just so silly. Each spread is a photographed scene with lots of creative touches (like a jelly truck that's the equivalent of a cement mixer). There's plenty to look at and lots to giggle over.

I've read a few books in this vein with posed objects as characters (including another of Border's books, Snack Attack!). This is one of the stronger ones. (Another nice winter-themed book done in a similar style is Mem Fox's Roly Poly. And another good Christmas-themed one is Michelle Olson's Norman's Gift. If you liked those books, you might like this one, too.)

Quotable moment:

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.83 out of 5

Review - My Winter City

My Winter City
by James Gladstone
illustrated by Gary Clement
Date: 2019
Publisher: Groundwood Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

A young boy wakes up in the early light of a winter morning, pulls on his boots and mittens, and steps out into the snowy city with his dad. They trudge through the snow, their dog bounding along beside them, then a slushy, steamy bus ride takes them to the tobogganing hill for some winter fun. The boy describes all the sights and sounds of the day, from the frost in Dad’s beard and the snow “pillows” in the park, to the noisy clunking snow plows and the singing buskers they pass on their way home. That night, the boy lies awake under cozy covers, reflecting on the day, as snow blankets the world outside his window.

This is winter in the city.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This poetic book perfectly captures the feeling of winter in the city. The slush, the spray, the muddled footprints, the rivulets cutting down the bus aisle... If you've ever spent time in a big city in winter, you'll probably be able to relate. The narrative is simply a boy talking about different winter experiences, invoking the different senses.

The detailed illustrations are nice, and are in keeping with the feel of the text. There's lots to look at, especially in some of the more crowded spreads.

Overall, this is a fairly strong look at winter. It's not a pristine snow-globe sort of winter, but a more realistic one that'll be relatable to readers who have had to navigate busy streets in the most inclement weather.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.5 out of 5